Committee to discuss RTÉ’s expenditure of public funds

Governance issues at the national broadcaster also under scrutiny.

The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media, chaired by local Fianna Fáil TD, Niamh Smyth, will resume discussions later today on the transparency of RTÉ’s expenditure of public funds.

They will also examine governance issues at the national broadcaster.

Speaking ahead of the meeting at 1:30pm in Committee Room 3 of Leinster House Deputy Smyth said: "We resume our discussions this afternoon with the invited members from RTÉ’s Board and Interim Leadership Team on the transparency of RTÉ’s expenditure of public funds and governance issues."

She said it is "timely and important that we hear from the full Board on events that have unfolded and plans underway to rebuild public trust."

The Joint Committee looks ahead to further meetings with RTÉ and Minister Martin on such matters said Deputy Smyth and to a "shared and strengthened scrutiny" of the public service broadcaster "all underpinned ultimately by a mutual desire to rebuild public trust and to support RTÉ’s delivery of a valued public good."

She concluded by saying: "We take this opportunity ahead of the meeting to reiterate the expectation from the Committee that RTÉ gives its full cooperation during the course of this scrutiny of matters in respect of governance, policy, expenditure, and administration within the organisation.”

The meeting in Committee Room 3 can be viewed live on Oireachtas TV.

The Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media has 14 Members, nine from the Dáil and five from the Seanad.

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.